New FAQ Deciphers Container Weight Regulations

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SOLAS amendments regarding container weight verification will go into effect on July 1, 2016. These mandatory regulations, requiring shippers to verify the gross mass of packed containers, have far-reaching effects for both carrier and terminal operations; without a verified gross mass, a container cannot be loaded onto a ship.

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In response to questions raised by various stakeholders in the supply chain, a thorough FAQ has been prepared by a coalition of industry experts led by the World Shipping Council (WSC), insurer TT Club, the International Container Handling and Coordination Association (ICHCA), and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF).

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The FAQ covers the methods by which shippers can obtain the verified gross mass of a container, the responsibilities of various parties, potential issues regarding accuracy and enforcement, and formats for communicating the verified gross mass between the parties.

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Real-time communication and visibility will be critical to ensure that the new regulations are implemented efficiently, with minimal disruption to the supply chain.

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As stated in the FAQ, several existing EDI messages have been amended, and the Ship Planning Message Design Group (SMDG) has developed a new EDI message called ‘VERMAS’ specifically to manage the transmission of verified gross mass data. More information on the VERMAS is available from the SMDG here.

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The complete container weight FAQ is available for download from the World Shipping Council.

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